Sen. Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino's Prison Letter to His Eldest Daughter Ballsy

The body of the Filipino martyr for Freedom and Democracy, Sen. Ninoy Aquino, sprawled on the ground of Manila International Airport [now Ninoy Aquino International Airport] after the brutal assasination on August 21, 1983. Below, the image of the late Senator and the nation honoring him by putting yellow ribbons and yellow banners bearing his image during the anniversaries of his death.

August 18, 1973

FortBonifacio

Makati, Rizal

Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino

25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to bewith you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am nolonger young and suddenly, I feel old.

An old poet gave this advice very long ago "when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December." I want to send youbouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in factthey have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you athicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible,even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like yourmother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be thelife vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in FortMagsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else todo but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlacfor your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. Iplanned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion, where lunch will beserved by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the Santa Rita Elementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream tothe children of that public school where you were first enrolled.I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days ofhappy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love.. Youare the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entirecow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later apicnic-lunch on Uncle Tony's Island. Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the manydreams I had in Laur.

Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I'll ever be able toreturn to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she isyour sincerest friend.

Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them butam unable to do so.

Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.

You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to ourhighest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable toKrissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office.I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I willfinally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.I love you,Dad